Equipping tomorrow’s Trailblazers for the UK’s energy transition through our New Energy Academy
As the UK accelerates its transition towards a green energy future, one challenge stands out above all others: ensuring the next generation has the skills, confidence and knowledge to drive the country’s green revolution.
New research from E.ON has revealed that almost half of UK school leavers (47%) are considering bypassing university altogether in favour of pursuing a green career. This growing interest is hugely encouraging, yet many young people still report feeling unprepared for the pathways they want to follow. Only 1 in 5 feel equipped with the skills they need to enter green sectors, despite strong enthusiasm for sustainability careers. At the same time, more than 70% of employers in green industries say they struggle to find candidates with the right skills.
This gap between aspiration and readiness is exactly what E.ON’s New Energy Academy is designed to bridge.
Opening the door to green opportunities
The New Energy Academy provides free classroom resources for 11–18 year olds, helping students explore the full range of green careers and understand the skills required to pursue them. By engaging young people early, and supporting the teachers who guide them, the programme aims to widen horizons, spark curiosity and help students picture themselves in roles that will shape the UK’s sustainable future.
Since launching, the New Energy Academy has already seen:
- 35,000+ website visits
- 1,900+ resource downloads
- Strong feedback from teachers, who say the programme has “sparked conversations about climate change, careers and how young people can make a difference.”
- 58% of students reporting they could now see themselves working in the energy sector after taking part.
This early engagement is critical. Not only does it help young people understand the opportunities ahead of them, but it also builds the talent pipeline needed to support the UK’s long-term climate goals.
Scaling green skills nationwide
The New Energy Academy builds on E.ON’s wider commitment to developing low-carbon skills across the UK. This includes:
- 1,300+ apprentices welcomed since 2018
- 770+ apprentices currently being supported
- 800 people trained annually through E.ON’s Net Zero Training Academy and wider skills initiatives
- A commitment of £2 billion this decade to drive the UK’s energy future — including £700 million to digitalise the energy system and create skilled jobs
Together, these initiatives are helping ensure the UK can meet both its climate ambitions and the increasing demand for a skilled, future-ready workforce.
Building a greener future, together
The transition to Net Zero isn’t just about technology or infrastructure: it’s about people. And young people’s enthusiasm for climate action is clear. By giving them access to the right tools and guidance early on, we can empower them to turn that passion into meaningful, long-lasting careers.
Supporting programmes like the New Energy Academy is essential to building the workforce that will underpin the UK’s climate goals and ensure our path to Net Zero becomes a reality.
Explore the New Energy Academy’s free classroom resources here.